Woman freed from prison under Oklahoma Survivors' Act
SEMINOLE, Okla. (KFOR) — A woman serving a life sentence for her role in the murder of her husband in 1990 will have a second chance at life under the Oklahoma Survivors' Act, after a judge released her from prison.
A hearing was held on Wednesday for Lisa Moss, who has served 34 years of her original life sentence for conspiracy and first-degree felony murder for the death of her 37-year-old husband, Lanny Mike Moss, in 1990.
Lisa had returned home from work when she found her husband dead inside and the room where he was found in, was ravaged. It was later determined by the Chief Medical Examiner that Lanny had two gunshot wounds to his head.
Following the death of her husband, both Lisa and her brother, Richard Lee Wright, were arrested.
According to OCCA, Lisa later admitted to speaking to her brother several days prior to the death of her husband asking him to kill her husband.
Her brother confessed to pulling the trigger. He was also charged with murder in the case.
During an appeal for a lesser sentence, attorneys representing Moss claimed she is a survivor of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse and that Lanny repeatedly raped her. Attorneys also claimed that Lanny molested Lisa's daughter for several months.
Lisa and Wright have since been serving their life sentences.
In 2024, state lawmakers passed the Oklahoma Survivors' Act, allowing domestic abuse survivors the possibility of a resentencing if they can provide evidence that abuse played a role in the crime committed.
Moss’ case was the first retroactive case to get released under the new law.
The hearing Wednesday observed several instances of both physical and sexual abuse by Mike used on Lisa.
Attorneys for Moss asked for an evidentiary hearing in December, under the Oklahoma Survivors Act.
“I will get to have a second chance at life,” said Moss, after she walked out of the courtroom as a free woman. “I’m going to get to know both my children and my grandchildren. The rest of my family.”
Moss took the stand Wednesday during the hearing and was emotional as she detailed what she called “years of abuse.” She said she was sexually, physically, and emotionally abused by her husband.
Moss was represented by Oklahoma Appleseed, a non-profit organization fighting the case for months.
“To come to a place like Seminole, Oklahoma, a tiny town like this in a rural place and see the evidence that we had and have it be received and believed and ruled on is a historic moment,” said Colleen McCarty, Oklahoma Appleseed attorney. “This isn't just for Lisa. It's a changing of the tide for survivors of violence. And we're coming for all of them.”
The state argued that there was never any protective orders filed or police reports to account for Mike’s abusive behavior.
“(The judge) made a decision that, you know, albeit our victim's family doesn't agree with,” said Erik Johnson, Seminole County District Attorney. “The judge believes that they met the evidentiary burden required by the Survivors Act.”
After the judge read the verdict, family and friends inside the courtroom could be heard weeping. She said she received a degree while incarcerated and already has a job and a place to live now that she has been freed.
“(I’m) going spend time with my family. Spend time with my family,” said Moss.